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Cheryl Hucks, your DESIGN INTERPRETER with a couple of questions: Are you getting a good night’s sleep? Do you wake up several times a night? Blackout Lining can be the answer to a more restful sleep. Scientific studies have proven that too much light and certain color lights in your bedroom can effect your sleep. I recommend to all my design clients to purchase ready made or custom made drapery panels, roman shades, and roller shades with blackout lining. I think you can never make a bedroom too dark! I cover all lights from DVRs, TVs, clocks, smoke detectors, computers, printers, phones, etc with black electrical tape. I carry it with me when I travel. If I cannot cover the light with tape, I cover it with a black bath cloth. Call me crazy, but I sleep all night without waking one time! Your bedroom will be dark enough that bright sunshine will not wake you! I especially like blackout lining in nurseries and kids rooms. When my grandchildren spend the night with me, they sleep later and usually say they have a better night’s sleep. Rooms where you watch TV it can be a must.

Bed, Bath and Beyond

Drapery panels can be purchased at most any store that sells bedding, pillows and draperies. These charcoal grommet panels are contemporary and sleek.

I had these gorgeous silk draperies with blackout lining made for clients whose bedroom windows faced the morning sun with it reflecting on lake water. You can see the lake out the window. The traverse rod was mounted next to the crown molding. Otherwise, the sunlight could have escaped out the top of the windows.

Cheryl Hucks Interior Designs

The only light that escapes is on the floor. Beautiful custom made blackout lined draperies! My client’s love their dark bedroom to get a great night’s sleep!

Cheryl Hucks Interior Designs

Cheryl Hucks Interior Designs

Another way to not allow the light to escape the top of the windows is to hang valances above the panels. This panel was hung as close to the ceiling as possible. The valance was stapled onto a 2 x4 piece of wood. The drapery panels have blackout lining.

Cheryl Hucks Interior Designs

Pottery Barn

What if you already have window treatments you love and have invested a lot money? You can purchase or have blackout liners made that can be hung on a separate rod behind your existing drapes.

Reasons why you should have blackout lining:

With a wealth of qualities to improve your sleep, treating your bedroom to an elegant pair of blackout curtains or investing in a smart blackout blind could have a big impact when it comes to gettingyour forty winks.

We tend to associate sleeping comfort with temperature, support and softness, but blackout products bring something unique to the table. Their key purpose is to provide an efficient and effective barrier to stop external light sources from disturbing your sleep, plus a range of other benefits.

Blackout products are naturally best suited for use in the bedroom where being able to control light and temperature levels is imperative for quality of sleep, but blackout fabrics are also great for the living room if street lights or vehicle headlamps persistently shine through your window.

Beyond blackout: what else do they offer?

Light control is the headline story when it comes to blackout, but what else can they do to create a sanctuary of sleep? The special coatings and linings of blackout collection have a triple benefit system, of which the light exclusion that gives them their name is just the first.

Temperature control & thermal insulationBlackout products also have the ability to regulate room temperature thanks to the added thermal insulation they offer. Thermal insulation is something we usually associate with keeping warm, and while blackout does offer an effective defence to keep chills out and warmth in when the temperature drops, it also keeps your home from suffering the effects of sweltering summer sun.

Far from a seasonal addition to your home, the special layer of lining or coating used to create blackout curtains and blackout blinds helps to keep your room cool on hot days, making them a handy ally to escape the summer heat. Draw your blackout curtains or lower your blackout roller blind during the day and the coating will create a barrier to the sun’s rays to keep your room cool.

Noise reductionIf you’ve ever been kept awake by irritating little noises from the street below that pull you back from the edge of blissful sleep, you’ll appreciate the noise reduction abilities of our blackout drapes.

The extra thick lining of our readymade blackout curtains helps to dampen noises, contributing further to the peaceful sanctuary you need when you are drifting off to sleep.

…and they’re ideal for children’s bedroomsMost of our children’s curtains come with a blackout lining because it’s so important for your little ones to get the sleep they need. Babies and children need more rest than adults because their bodies and minds are still developing.

Our blackout curtains are perfect for creating the ideal sleep environment for your kids, as well as avoiding those ‘but it’s still light outside’ arguments at bedtime in the summer months.

If you need a better night’s sleep or want to eliminate cold, heat or noise, blackout lining is the perfect solution. It will not cost you a lot and it will be well worth the investment!

Hi Everyone! Cheryl Hucks, your DESIGN INTERPRETER, with TIPS FOR A COZY WINTER HOME, my topic for Fox 8 WGHP last Friday, January 9. 2014. Every time I appear on Fox 8, I set my DVR to tape it but guess what? It will not tape! I wish I knew why…my DVR can have not other programs saved and it still will not record it. Any ideas as to why?

Think Ski Lodges for a cozy winter home. You can use the same elements in your home too.

I would love to stay in a ski lodge with this warm, inviting and gorgeous room! Might be difficult to leave this cozy place to the freezing slopes! Most of the warm colors are in the accessories and drapes. It would not be too expensive to make these few changes to your own bedroom. www.skimagazine.com

HGTV

Wow!! Orange, yellow and green! Perfect place to watch it snow, drink hot chocolate and cozy up to the fire. Take your clues from skir lodge furniture arrangement: furniture closer to a fire and creating intimate conversation areas. www.hgtv.com

Cuddletown

Curl up the sofa for a nap with one of these soft, luxurious Faux fur throws! www.cuddletown.com

Blackout lined draperies will insulate your rooms from the cold outside as well as darkened your bedroom for better sleep and lower the noise level. Designer Tip: White or light colored draperies will be just as room darkening as dark fabric if both are lined in the same blackout lining. www.the companystore.com

Cheryl

Hi Everyone! Cheryl Hucks, your DesignInterpreter, with an introduction to an extremely talented artist and designer, Daniel Sebille. His range of artistry and design has a broad range which includes mosaics, concrete murals, textured painting,Kitchen design, Mediterranean-style patios and color scheme plans.

Daniel Sebille

Daniel Sebille was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His early ambition to become an architect changed when he discovered the joys of performing as an actor. During the 80s Daniel appeared on television, in theater productions and in advertising. While working as an actor in Madrid, Daniel became reacquainted with his interest in design and the plastic arts. His experience as a student at Industrial Technical School in Buenos Aires, and his work there with abstract painting and carving sparked his interest in bas-relief mural design, and he created his first murals while living in Madrid. 1993 was a turning point in Daniel’s development as an artist. While touring Venice, Florence and Rome, he discovered Italian mosaic artwork. His interest in this superb art form led him to experiment with it. He taught himself to improve his technique through intensive study, practice, and trial and error. His diligent efforts finally paid off, and they can be seen in the fine quality of his work and his careful attention to detail. Over the years, Daniel has expanded his artistic and design repertoire. In addition to his work with mosaics and concrete murals, he has demonstrated his European-influenced sensibilities through textured painting, kitchen design, fountain work, Mediterranean-style patios, and color scheme plans. Daniel’s work can be seen in residential spaces as well as commercial ones, including many bars and restaurants.

Overhead view of island in a kitchen renovation Bermuda Run Country Club in Advance, NC. home.

Daniel Sebille

Abstract mosaic kitchen cook top back splash Winston-Salem, NC.

Daniel Sebille

Aged chalk paint pie safe for June Delugas in Clemmons, NC

Daniel Sebille

Sunset, faux painted ceiling and walls Lewisville, NC

Daniel Sebille

Great idea for a framed mosaic picture of your children or pet too!

What clients say about Daniel:

-Daniel quickly understood the look I wanted. He made suggestions and had some great ideas from making my kitchen beautiful. Everyone loves it, especially me.–Claire Valine

-Originally, I’d planned to hire Daniel for tile work. However, after talking with him and seeing his ideas, I decided to hire him to rework the entire kitchen. Daniel created a kitchen that I still love and enjoy. It’s colorful, creative and joyful.–Judi Russell

-Daniel shared my aesthetic vision both for my business and my home. The paint and mosaic sign he created for my school harmonized perfectly with the other design elements we considered when creating the image for my business. In my home, he challenged me to think outside the box with color and texture, helping me create a vibrant space where everyone loves to be.–Meriwynn Mansori

-Daniel Sebille is a talented artist who prides himself to please the customer. He is conscientious and professional at all times. If you are considering faux finishing, mosaic tile work or a mural, Daniel is the artist I would recommend. He paints and distresses furniture as well. We have multiple requests for furniture pieces to be painted and we know we can refer those to Daniel with confidence. -June DeLugas , June DeLugas Interior Designs

Whatever you can imagine, Daniel can make it a reality!

Cheryl

You can contact Daniel at (336) 782-2256 or daniel@yahoo.com.ar

Hi Everyone! Cheryl Hucks, your DESIGN INTERPRETER, here! One of the most frequent mistakes contractors, painters and homeowners make is painting a sloped or angled wall the same color as the ceiling! These walls are usually found in attics and in rooms over a garage. It is the wall that has an angle, not the ceiling! Buy painting the angled or sloped part of the wall the same as the ceiling, which is usualy white, you have made the room feel shorter and smaller. The darker the wall color, the greater the contrast, the more the room feels short and small. Frequently, the flat ceiling in a bonus room over a garage is only a few feet wide, If that is the case, I usually suggest painting all walls and ceiling the same color.

Staton Homes Builders Chapel Hill NC

If the angled part of the wall had been painted the same gray as the walls, the angles would have not been noticeable. Instead, your eyes are drawn to the three white angled walls!

Cheryl Hucks Interior Designs

You can hardly see the angled corner behind the dressing table. If the sloped part of the walls were painted white, the wall would have short and the center of attention.

Cheryl Hucks Interior Designs

When I designed this bedroom over a garage for my client’s daughter, I had the painters to paint all the walls (sloped and flat and ceiling) a soft pink. This made the room appear extremely tall and expansive.

Next time you paint angled walls in your home or hire a painter (who will probably disagree with you) please insist on painting the angled or sloped walls the same as the flat walls, not the ceiling. Happy painting!

Cheryl

Merry Christmas Everyone! Cheryl Hucks, your DESIGN INTERPRETER, with Christmas Stockings for your fireplace mantle. No fireplace mantle? Hang a stocking on door handles to each child’s room, or string decorative rope in a doorway to hang stockings or hang on stairs railings. Remove existing artwork or a mirror and hang stockings on the Command removable and decorative hooks. For many years everyone made their stockings from felt and decorated with them with glitter, sequins,ribbons, buttons and more. Now, stockings are available in every department store, craft stores, drug stores, and on-line and in any style, color, sport, hobby, toy theme you can imagine.

Cheryl

Merry Christmas Again! Cheryl Hucks, your DESIGN INTERPRETER, with another holiday blog. I must admit this year I did not have time to be creative or unique with my Christmas present wrapping. If you have the space and time to collect unique items through out the year, it will easier and quicker to be creative with your gift wrap. Wouldn’t you love for your gift wrap to be as special as the gift? Have you ever received a gift and due to the unique way it was wrapped, you knew who had wrapped it? Here are a few examples of fabulous gift wraps that are also easy and quick—that is if you have the items needed. I would love to see pics of your Creative Holiday Gift Wraps.

HGTV

Mailing paper, fringe burlap, leftover plaid ribbon and Christmas greens are the pairings for a rustic, mountain or farm Christmas.

HGTV

Does your family gather at the beach cottage for Christmas? Of do you live at the beach year round? This Eastern Accents tree skirt sets the stage for a beach themed Christmas celebration. Plain white paper with sea shells and driftwood are an easy to wrap gift while at the beach.

HGTV

If you have an “all white Christmas” decor, these gift tags with plain white paper, glitter and ribbon could not be any easier. The family photo is an additional cherished gift.

HGTV

Kids would love this reindeer gift tag and the brown yarn pom pom.

HGTV

Wrap your gift in the recepient’s favorite colors. I love it when someone wraps my gifts in animal prints! Your gift is already off to a great start!

HGTV

Tiffany Blue is an all time favorite color for lots of people . White snowman and snowflakes were applied on this gorgeous chalkboard paper. I must admit I did not know chalk board paper came in colors. Great idea for a January or February birthday gift too,

HGTV

This layered gift wrap is one of my favorites. Mailing paper, burlap, gross grain and satin ribbon with a pine cone . It is a fab masculine wrapping paper choice.

HGTV

Do your kids like to draw? My grandkids would be very excited for my gifts to be wrapped in their artwork. One of kind too!

HGTV

Gorgeous 3-D wrapping paper would definitely start a conversation!

HGTV

Use leftover wrapping paper as ribbon. Now, I am thinking about all the paper I have tossed. I could have used it for beautiful ribbons.

I love these red plaid melamine plate and candy striped utensils. Christmas Green table cloth or placemat or napkin would add just the right pop of color! You could use these plaid plates for July 4th, Memorial Day or a simple picnic.

Pottery Barn

Matching plaid mugs.

Pottery Barn

Aren’t these Santa coat and pants salt and pepper shakers adorable! Maybe hanging to dry after a might of sledding in the snow? Santa’s clothes could be used with most any Pottery Barn Holiday pattern.

Cheryl

Merry Christmas Everyone! Cheryl Hucks, yourDesign Interperter, withmy latest blog : Holiday Table Settings.Last Friday, December 3, when I appeared on Fox 8 WGHP I displayed four different Holiday Table Settings. When my younger son’s godparents started my Christmas china there were not too many patterns available. Now, there are hundreds of patterns!! Here are some photos of my Fox 8 examples. My next blog will include a few more Holiday patterns.

Fox 8 Appearance-Cheryl Hucks

One of Fox 8’s studio has been decorated as a Victorian Christmas. Perfect place for my Holiday Table Settings.

Fox Appearance-Cheryl Hucks

I used this table setting 4 years ago in a charity event, Festive Tables that benefited Habitat for Humanity for Greensboro and High Point, NC. I used silver and gold together. This white and silver snow flake pattern has a simple elegance that could be used from November to March. It is also good for someone who does not celebrate Christmas but wants a gorgeous table setting for special occasions. Isn’t the pewter squirrel adorable? Plate , cups and glass: Target. Place mat and snowflake napkin ring: Pier One.

Fox 8 Apperance-Cheryl Hucks

Cutherson Christmas Tree is my Christmas china. I use gold chargers and green and red plaid placements but you could also use silver or red chargers or place mats and napkins. I like to add a little whimsy to each table setting. My reindeer is wearing a candle ring. My napkin holders are crystal balls on gold rope tree ornaments.

Fox 8 Appearance-Cheryl Hucks

Would you believe the china is melamine!! Looks expensive but only cost about $3:00-4.00 per plate. Dishwasher safe but not microwave safe. I love the snowflake dessert plate. They also have matching bowls. Red plastic glass is a must! I added a red charger and green place mat and red napkin. I used one of my gold napkin rings, but Christmas green, candy cane striped or even black would have been festive. The red LED pillar candle and candle ring are from Hobby Lobby. I constantly try to use items I already have when decorating for holidays. Black lantern with LED candle is from my patio. I added a red ribbon and holly to the lantern handle. Plates, glass, charger, place mat: Target. Candle, candle ring: Hobby Lobby. Lantern: Ross. My mother made the all the red napkins and I bought the napkin ring many years ago.

Fox 8 Appearance-Cheryl Hucks

Your children and grandchildren would love Christmas plates, cups and place mats just for them! The Snowman plate has a rubber surface on the bottom to prevent sliding. Straw and lid prevent spills in the adorable snowman cup. Cookies for Santa place mat can be used when kids are eating and then as a place for Santa’s milk and cookies. Place a snow topped tree at each place settings. My favorite decoration is my Yorkie statue which I call Cocoa after my tiny 3.5 lb Yorkie. The Yorkie statue and my Cocoa were almost the same size. Love the Santa hat!!

Hi Everyone! Cheryl Hucks, your DESIGN INTERPRETER, with Part 4 of my series 2015 Home Trends:Kitchens. Open floor plan kitchens which are growing in popularity will continue in 20115 but will be smaller, greener and offer more casual living spaces. They satisfy the need to gather and connect.

House Beautiful

.Love these celebrity homes that are fantastic examples of 2015 Kitchen Trends. Shows you what a huge budget can do! Mila Kunis great room is the perfect example of an “open floor plan” kitchen. Grand island, fireplace, living room, dining room and top grade appliances and finishes. I bet there is a computer somewhere too!

House Beautiful

Streamlined, large expansive windows and few upper wall cabinets….instead, wall shelves for items you want to keep within easy reach. I have must have too many dishes for that new trend! Flat paneled doors and glossy surfaces create Beyonce’a and Jay Z’s beautiful sleek, all white kitchen! What a view!!

House Beautiful

All white must the be the trend with celebrities. Love, love Celine Dion’s huge oven and cooktop. The open shelves with glass doors have created a focal point.

Elle Decor

Jennifer Lopez’s kitchen has no upper cabinets! Must have large pantry-closet!

House Beautiful

Extending the color palette in the rest of your house to the kitchen has always been one of my designer recommendations. Creating a flow throughout an open floor plan is essential for good design. Would have guessed this was Kelly Ripa’s kitchen?

Elle Decor

Chef Bobbie Flay’s kitchen. Wonder if he has the same color palette in the rest of his house?

House Beautiful

Bruce Willis’s rustic, msculine kitchen demonstrates the 2015 trend for a great expanse of windows, no unsightly clutter and multi-use space.

House Beautiful

House Beautiful

Would you believe this is Lady Gaga’s Kitchen? I would have guessed a modern, glam kitchen.

House Beautiful

Jessica Parker’s kitchen has that same “Sex in the City” glam style. Do you she a shoe closet close by?

Elle Decor

Guida de Laurentiis beautiful kitchen is exactly what I thought she would have.

I have listed a few of the kitchen features in demand for 2015:

Induction cooktops

Steam ovens

French door refrigerators with bottom freezers

Electronic no touch faucets

LED lighting

Wooden floors

Energy saving appliancesc

Docking and charging stations

Desk or home office area

Double sinks

Recessed lighting

Central island

Pull out drawers pots and pans

Breakfast bar for coffee, etc

Universal or inclusive design is expected to be a big trend in 2015. Zero step entries, widened doorways, multi-level cabinets (to accomodate wheel chairs and ability to sit to chop, bake,etc),non-slip flooring, door pulls and knobs that are easy to grasp, pull out faucets or faucet handles that are easy to turn, under counter refrigerators drawers, pull out microwaves. Our aging population want to “age in place” and prefer to remain at home rather than move to a nursing facility. Multi-generations under one roof need inclusive design.

Cheryl

Cheryl Hucks, your DESIGN INTERPRETER, wishing you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Decorating a fabulous, festive Thanksgiving Table and cooking a delicious dinner for my family are both part of my annual Thanksgiving tradition. “COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS” is something I do everyday. This year have been blessed with great health and a love to workout and be fit. I am able to spend time with my 2 year old granddaughter and experience the joy of her liking to dance, throw like a boy, pretend to wear make-up and count to 20! I have seen my 3 grandsons become much taller, grow in character and become involved in football, wrestling, swimming, art, golf, tennis and even more! I am blessed to have two smart, loving sons who are first rate dads and husbands. My two daughter-in-laws who are more like daughters to me are fabulous mothers and wives! Some of you may know I have two tiny blessings soon to arrive in December–Twin grandbabies!!! We do not know the sexes yet. we just want two healthy babies! I call them my Christmas blessings!! I remind myself everyday God has given me so much!! I try to be happy with what I have and not worry about what I think I would like or need.

I had to include a peek at my Thanksgiving decorations! I included my kitchen island, dining room table and front door.